Lead-free tin projectile

• US 6,439,124 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Original Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Inventors: Buenemann, Morris C. Jr., Enlow, Keith E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUDOR, HAROLD JAY
• Application Number:
  US09/479,977
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 102/501, 102/448, 102/439, 102/507-510, 102/514-517, 420/557, 420/560, 420/561, 420/562
• US Class Current: 102/501
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/74 of the core or solid body

Abstract

There is provided a lead-free projectile suitable for use as a bullet to be fired from a pistol or rifle or as a slug to be fired from a shotgun. The projectile core is formed from a high purity tin and has deformation properties similar to that of lead based projectiles without the environmental hazards associated with lead.

Claims

1. A lead-free projectile used in a cartridge having a powdered chemical propellant consisting of essentially pure tin having a tin content of at least 99.8%, by weight, a yield strength of 11.0 MPa or less, and a hardness of less than 5 HB and formed to an aerodynamic profile.

2. The lead-free projectile of claim 1 wherein said essentially pure tin has a maximum of 0.1%, by weight, of any one alloying addition.

3. The lead-free projectile of claim 2 wherein a maximum zinc content is less than 0.005%, by weight.

4. The lead free projectile of claim 3 wherein said essentially pure tin contains, by weight,

a maximum of 0.04% antimony,

a maximum of 0.05% arsenic,

a maximum of 0.030% bismuth,

a maximum of 0.001% cadmium,

a maximum of 0.04% copper,

a maximum of0.015% iron,

a maximum of 0.05% lead,

a maximum of 0.01% sulfur,

less than 0.005% zinc, and

a maximum of 0.01% (nickel+cobalt).

5. The lead-free projectile of claim 1 wherein said tin content is at least 99.85%, by weight.

6. The lead-free projectile of claim 1 wherein said hardness is between 3 HB and 5 HB.

7. The lead-free projectile of claim 6 wherein said essentially pure tin is Grade A tin.